What do Gwen Stefani, Dita von Teese and The Duchess of Cornwall have in common? Their wedding dresses are all set to be displayed in a big new exhibition at the V&A next year, Wedding Dresses 1775-2014.
As the title suggests the 80-piece exhibition wont just take in modern outfits. The curator, Edwina Ehrman, has raided the museums extensive archives to find everything from one of the earliest examples of bridal gowns (a silk satin court dress, since you ask) through to gowns designed by Charles Worth, fashions first couturier, and dresses made from furnishing fabrics and parachute silks during the Second World War. And there are plenty of up-to-date pieces to fawn over to by everyone from Vera Wang and Lacroix to Lanvin and Vivienne Westwood.
As well as taking a look at the evolution of the wedding dress the exhibition is also set to chart the history of the wedding itself, from a family orientated affair through to blow-the-budget celebrity gatherings - hence the inclusion of Gwen and Ditas gowns. And its not all about the dress everything from veils and jewellery to grooms outfits will be added to the mix too.
So whether youre dream wedding is traditional or alternative, vintage-inspired or cutting edge, theyve basically got all your wedding inspiration needs sewn up. And if, when youve finished, youre in need of a spot more glamour, youll be able to pop to the next room where the museums other big fashion exhibition, The Glamour of Italian Fashion, will be show. Team V&A, youre spoiling us.
Wedding Dresses 1775-2014 will open at the V&A Fashion Gallery (Gallery 40), from 3 May 2014 15 March 2015.
